UTICA – Richard (Dick) Eugene Hoar, 92, of Utica passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2022. He is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Jane (Elliott) Hoar, parents Bertha (Riley) and Henry Hoar and his six brothers and sisters.
The youngest of seven children, Dick was born in McKean Township, Newark, Ohio, on June 19, 1930. Dick graduated from Homer High School in 1948 and proudly served in the U.S. Army for two years.
Following his military service, Dick returned to Utica, where he took over the peach and apple orchards that his father planted in 1926. Dick and Jane, and their four children, went on to expand the orchard that currently stands today as Legend Hills Orchard. The epitome of hard work, Dick built his family business all while working third shift at Rockwell International for nearly 30 years.
Dick’s greatest joy was his family. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed watching their sporting events and musical and theater performances. Dick also had a competitive spirit, and as a former state checker champion, he loved to play games of all types and reveled in sports―especially his beloved OSU Buckeyes.
We will miss seeing “Grandpa Dick” riding around the orchard on his four-wheeler, checking his crops, picking fruit and greeting customers in the salesroom.
Dick will be greatly missed by his wife of 19 years, Carol (Wetherbee) Hoar, his children Susan Hatch (Virgil), Debbie Seibel (Larry), Richard Hoar (Melissa), Doug Hoar (Debbie) and his step-children Lynn Shoemaker (Rick) and Lee Wetherbee (Faye). He was the proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren – Jackie Hatch-Miller (Zac Miller), Megan Mott (Tyler), Mark Hatch (Elyse), Rachel Seibel (Farouk Houssein), Bethany Hatch (Joe Loudenslager), Renae Hoar, Katie Fletcher (Brandon), Christopher Hoar (Madison), Jason Hoar (Melissa) and Emily Sayre (Josh), five step-grandchildren – Lauren Shoemaker, Michael Shoemaker, Kelly Shoemaker, Christopher Wetherbee, Sarah Loy, and 25 great-grandchildren.
Dick was a member of Highwater Congregational Church and OSU Newark Chess Club. He was also selected to the Licking County Agriculture Hall of Fame and was the proud owner of a Licking County Century Farm.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Licking Memorial Hospital, Johnstown Pointe and National Church Residences for their kind and compassionate care for Dick during his final journey in life.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Highwater Congregational Church, 1213 Dutch Lane Rd., Newark, OH 43055. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Highwater Congregational Church with Pastor Gladys Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Wilson Cemetery with military honors provided by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s memory can be made to Highwater Congregational Church, 1213 Dutch Lane Rd., Newark, OH 43055. To sign an online guestbook, please visit law-bakerfuneralhome.com.
